Issues: Investigations

Senator Carl L. Marcellino Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Investigations and Government Operations was joined by Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. a member of the Senate's Energy & Telecommunications Committee, Senator Owen H. Johnson, Senator Kenneth P. LaValle, Senator John J. Flanagan and Senator Jack M. Martins at a public hearing to look at strategies and policies that govern Long Island Power Authority’s (LIPA) storm preparation and restoration, and to examine the industry standards, best practices and post-event analysis of the utility.

Governor Cuomo today announced that Senator Carl L. Marcellino and Assemblyman Steve Englebright, chairmen of the Senate and Assembly Governor Operations Committee, will join the Governor's task force to investigate the executive and administrator compensation levels at not-for-profits that receive taxpayer support from the state.

Senator Gianaris for years has been advocating for a "Peace Commission" to review the cases of potentially wrongfully convicted individuals in order to decrease the number of cases of wrongful conviction in New York.

Dozens of family members stood on the steps of City Hall Thursday, shouting the names of related prisoners that they say have been locked up for no reason.

"I know he is innocent, and that's what hurts," said Louis Holmes, father of a current inmate.

Family members and activists say Albany leaders need to form what they called an "Innocence Commission," a panel with subpoena powers to investigate the cases of inmates who claim they're not guilty and should be set free.

(Yonkers)- Today, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (35th District- D/WF/I) announced at a press conference in her district office, the introduction of Senate bill 5316. The bill would make the unemployed a "protected class" in New York and make it illegal for employers to deny out-of-work applicants an interview or position solely because they are jobless. It would also prohibit employers from posting job advertisements that discourage the unemployed from applying to vacant positions.

Senator Stewart-Cousins took part in a hearing of the Investigations and Government Operations Committee in Long Island regarding the "Finance, Policies and Practices of the MTA." Testifying at the hearing was Jay Walder, Chairman and CEO of the MTA; Helena Williams, President of the Long Island Railroad; Kenneth B. Bleiwas, Director of Bureau of Agency Analysis, Office of the Comptroller; John Samuelson, President of the Transport Workers Union Local 100; and Ira Greenberg, Chairman of the Executive Committee Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA. The hearing examined the MTA's costs and revenue streams, and explored ways to maintain service without drastically increasing fares. To see a picture of Senator Stewart-Cousins at the hearing, click here.

Senator Michael Gianaris, Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan and Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer will hold a press conference with community leaders at base of the Queensborough Plaza to demand that the New York City Department of Transportation (NYDOT) investigate the layout and design of the street grid around Queen Plaza. In the past 10 days two major accidents with one resulting in a fatality have occurred in this area. These officials and community leaders will also demand the NYCDOT strengthen traffic safety on the bridge and at the ramp to avoid any future accidents and tragedies.

On Wednesday April 6th, I spoke with Brett Davidsen from WHEC-TV, Channel 10, regarding a man from Rochester who was filing fake tax returns from his prison cell. This is unacceptable and outrageous. To see last night's story, click on the link below.

The Independent Democratic Conference today released a plan to streamline New York's patchwork Inspector General system and further empower the State Inspector General to be the top watchdog of New York's bureaucracy.

This proposal, which would eliminate overlapping and duplicative layers of state government and consolidate what are often competing operations, would result in $37 million in savings.